SEO can be a very rewarding career, whether you choose to work in an agency, in-house, or freelance. The range of organizations you can help grow is never-ending. Within the field, you can specialize in technical SEO, content creation, link building, and more. Whichever direction you take, helping clients get found organically online can take patience. However, seeing the strategies you put in place making a difference is the best feeling and keeps you motivated every day.

So, what skills do you need for success?

It may seem challenging to get your foot in the door, especially with no industry experience. However, I’m going to outline some steps to help you stand out and determine if SEO is the right career for you. For an all round overview of the SEO process I would recommend checking out one of the most comprehensive guide that I have found so far: The SEO Roadmap

Writing Skills: Understanding the Power of Content

Content has a strong influence on search engine ranking positions. You don’t need to be the best writer to be a great SEO, but understanding what search engines are looking for is essential. Here are some steps to get started:

  • Pick a topic that interests you, preferably a unique niche, and write a couple of blog articles (aim for 500-1,000 words each). Don’t worry about keywords for now; just write naturally.
  • Use AI tools to help structure your articles and improve grammar and sentence structure, but don’t use AI to generate the entire content.

Technical Knowhow: Building a Strong Foundation

Technical SEO is a diverse subject, but understanding how search engines crawl and index website content, along with basic web development skills, is fundamental. Here’s how to get started (use Google to help you along the way):

  • Build a website for your blog articles using a popular CMS like WordPress; there are plenty of free themes and affordable hosting options available.
  • Create an XML sitemap and submit it to Google and Bing. Were there any issues?
  • Install crawling software such as Screaming Frog or Sitebulb. Play around and identify and fix SEO-specific issues.
  • Enrol on the free Semrush technical SEO course and apply the lessons to your new website
  • Boost your HTML, CSS & JavaScript basics with Code Academy’s free courses

Data Analysis: Measuring Your Impact

An analytical mind is crucial for a career in SEO. To understand the impact of your SEO work, you need to know how to track performance. Here’s how:

  • Make sure your new site has Google Analytics, Google Search Console and Tag Manager set up. Find courses and have a play around.
  • Familiarize yourself with basic Excel and Google Sheets functions and formulas and how they can be used to visualize data; VLOOKUP is a personal favourite.
  • Optimize your blog articles for high-value search terms using Google’s Keyword Planner tool.

Communication & Client Management: Building Trust

As an SEO professional, you will likely deal with clients, and unlike paid advertising, the results typically aren’t instantaneous. To be successful, you need effective communication skills. Here’s how:

  • If you have a friend or family member with a website, run a top-level audit and explain any issues you find; help them solve it.
  • Take steps to improve your public speaking and communication; practice is key.

Adaptability

SEO is an ever-changing discipline, being able to keep up with the latest industry changes is crucial, it is a competitive space after all. If you’re looking for a career where you can sit back, relax and never have to change the way you work then Search engine optimisation probably isn’t for you.

  • Subscribe to SEO blogs and influencers to keep up to date with the latest industry news, the trick is knowing who to follow. Check out SEO Notebook by Steve Toth or Search Engine Journal.
  • Use Googles keyword planner tool as well as Google Trend data to plan a seasonal content strategy for your blog website.

If you have a genuine interest in SEO and can demonstrate that you’ve taken these steps, you should have no problem getting your foot in the door, even without years of industry experience.

Remember, a continuous willingness to learn and adapt is key in the dynamic field of SEO. Good luck on your journey into the exciting world of search engine optimization!